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Caring for pets during Ramadan

Olufemi Oboye

C.E.O, K-9ine World LTD.
08033952937, [email protected]

As-Salaam-Alaikum (Peace be unto you).

The sacred month of Ramadan is a period where Muslims fast, pray and feast. The purpose is to teach them about patience, humility and spirituality.

Contact with pets during and after Ramadan is an issue for discussion because some Muslims believe that even to own a dog is ‘haram’. Every animal has been created for a purpose and it is the duty of every human being to respect Allah’s creation. If we ill-treat any of His creation, we will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment.

No animal has been cursed in any way. In fact, animals are referred to in many instances in the Qu’ran. In Surah Kahf, mention is made of the companions of the Cave and their dog. (S18: 18-22)

The Prophet (peace be on him) told his companions a story concerning a man who found a dog in the desert panting and licking the dust due to thirst. The man went to a well, filled his shoes with water, and relieved the dog’s thirst. Allah appreciated this and forgave him all his sins.

It is NOT haram to own or touch a dog or any other animal. If the saliva of a dog touches you or any part of your clothing, then it is required of you to wash the body part touched and the item of clothing touched by the dog’s mouth or snout.

It is forbidden to keep a dog or any other animal on a short leash for long periods without food, water and shelter. It is cruel and therefore, a taboo to keep any animal in a cage so small that it cannot behave in a natural way.

It is incumbent upon all Muslims who own animals, whether for farming or work purposes or as pets, to provide adequate shelter, food, water and, when needed, veterinary care for their animals. Arrangements must be made, if one is going to be away from home, to have one’s animals taken care of as well.

No animal has been cursed in any way. We would love Allah to bestow His mercy upon us. So let us show mercy and compassion to all His creation.

Ramadan Kareem!

Ask the vet

Please find below some common questions I have been asked over and again. I love to share the answers to these questions.

Is there any spiritual implication if my dog cries at night?

No. It is just a myth, as far as science is concerned.

I noticed a boil on my dog’s body and when I pressed it, maggots came out of it

This is a condition referred to as Myasis. It is caused by a specie of fly that lays its eggs on flowers, grasses and sand. Whenever your dog comes in contact with the surfaces where the eggs have been laid, they attach on their fur. In some cases, the eggs are laid directly on your dog’s body. These eggs later hatch and the larva (maggot) burrow into the skin of your pet.

How many times should I feed my dog a day?

This depends on the age of the dog. For a puppy, it should be between two and four times a day. As it grows, you may reduce the number of intervals and increase the quantity. However, I don’t advice you to feed the dog at less than two intervals daily.

At what age should I begin to deworm my puppy?

Routine deworming should start at two weeks of age because puppies become infested with worms while they are in their mummy’s womb.

I feed my dogs with bones. Is it okay?

Feeding bones to dogs should be done with great caution. It is advisable that bones are chopped before feeding to pets because some dogs can swallow large masses of bones that can be lodged in the esophagus and cause the dog to choke. Flat bones and bones of chicken, turkey and other birds are discouraged because they can easily splinter and perforate the stomach and intestines. This can result in death.

Is it normal for ticks to be found on a dog’s body?

Dogs naturally do not have and are not meant to have ticks. Ticks come on dogs from various sources, such as a tick infested dogs, cats, rat or other areas where a tick infested animal has passed through.

What tick and flea repellant do you recommend for my dog?

Various brands of tick and flea repellants are available in the market. However, any brand that contains an active ingredient called fipronil is preferred because it has a good insecticidal effect and a long residual effect. It can repel ticks for up to one month after application, provided the dog is not given a bath.

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